TX Cyclone - Interesting News from IAAPA

Put me down as another who has no problem with Morgan trains. They tracked just fine on both the Texas Cyclone and Seabreeze's Jackrabbit. I've ridden many rougher coasters with PTC trains, and my one Gerstlauer experience (on Megazeph) was terrible.

Schwarzkopf shuttle loops...The most possible fun in 36 seconds.

TeknoScorpion said:
and send AW's GL to Camden, !

Do you want to watch another coaster rust to death

I would love to see TC relocated and lovingly restored in a small independent park. The Morgan trains on it were running very good on closing weekend, and it was clear TC had been well cared for by its maintenance crew...*MUCH* better than its Georgia cousin which is now sadly one of the worst tracking coasters I've been on (having ridden it the following weekend). The PTC's just bang and grind through the whole GC course now. So I've learned Morgans can be quite good, and PTC's aren't everything if the coaster isn't maintained.

I survived a Japanese typhoon and the Togo flat ride of death!!!!!!

I doubt a small independant park could afford the relocation of this ride. Plus Six Flags is keeping the trains and various electronics.

I know Knoebel's is busy with the Flying Turns project, but they could give us Greezed Lightnin' for 2006, while we're waiting.

I think I should clarify why I dislike Morgan trains.

My biggest problem is that they weigh signicantly less than other rolling stocks which I feel produces a lesser ride (in many aspects). Talk to anyone who rode the Rye Dragon, Belmont Giant Dipper, Collossus, Seabreaze Jack Rabbit, or Tx Cyclone with their older/original rolling stock and you will get an earful on the difference in the ride experience. The lack of padding and grab bars are also cons, but I've yet to ride a coaster with Morgan trains where I could say I suffered any pain or discomfort due to lack of padding - it's simply a comfort issue. Lastly, I find Morgan trains have an awkard feeling that just doesn't seem 'quite right' - I really can't find the words for it.

Obviously a lighter coaster train is a plus to parks that don't OR can't put a lot of money into coaster track maintenance. When Morgan introduced their trains in 1984, their main selling point was that it would drastically reduce the amount of maintenance that would have to be performed. HOWEVER, I believe that the rides that currently run Morgans could be better rides with other heavier rolling stock and proper maintenance.

It should be pointed out that the Riverside Cyclone's switch back to PTCs from Morgan was disastrous - in less than a season the PTCs destroyed the track bed. The Cyclone had very little track work done in it's lifetime mostly thanks to the lightness of the Morgans. Of course, SF's fix is completely unacceptable (reprofiling and trimming).

I do think Morgan trains track very well and I believe upon PTC's acquisition of the Morgan design they implemented some of that technology into their current train designs.

All that being said I'd much rather be riding in a NAD, Vettel or P&C trains than any other rolling stock, but obviously that's not going to happen anywhere other than where they already exist.

Jim 'jimvid' McDonnell

Thanks Jim, Expecially that last paragraph.

My problem isn't with PTC's running gear at all, Its the fact that they have a four foot wide train, Use 3ft 2 inches of it for passengers and then While I think the factory divider is ok, Many parks are suplimenting it wit a hard foam divider thats a good two inches wider than factory. Add hard foam seats and backs and it greatly reduces and airtime and comfort level.

They are also in many cases using extremely short seatbelts (SFSTL Screamin Eagle)

Chuck, who rode new PTC's on Raven, Hades and Avalanche last year and didn't have a problem. Zues had the modified dividers and short belts.

SFGAdv lover said:
I know Knoebel's is busy with the Flying Turns project, but they could give us Greezed Lightnin' for 2006, while we're waiting.

That's a great idea, they could use a steel coaster and an older steel coaster (that is still considered to be great) would fit in the park well.

That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Six Flags is not giving anything away. The ride is considered an asset, and holds value.

Do not believe everything you hear. *** Edited 11/20/2005 3:58:34 AM UTC by Agent Johnson***

Ok, I won't believe everything I hear. That negates your statement as well.

I've often wondered from time to time, how to write good poetry- and make it all... Work.

So, since we're not believing anything we hear, I've never seen Cyclone in person, only heard about it. I question the existance of the Texas Cyclone, and Texas in General.

;)

^ Yes but I have seen and ridden the TX Cyclone, but you've never seen me in person either, so you should question not only my word, but you should question my existence too.

I'm even beginning to question your existence, Brian...it's been a WHILE!

Brian let's me know he's "coming to FL" a week after he returns to Spurrier-ville. :-/

But it IS theoretically possible that SFI's estimated value of TC is less than its cost to deconstruct - which would mean if someone was willing to pay the price of tear-down, the SFI would "give it away" (hopefully to a good home)... ;)

I obviously don't know anything ,just saying it's *possible*...and that if I had a park without a good wooden twister (OK, make that fan-freakin'-tastic wooden twister), and the clearance issues were resolveable, I'd be VERY interested....even if there was a "nominal pricetag"...can't imagine there's a seller's market for it these days... ;)

But with Adams and Fetterman already busy (presumably with Starliner, let's get that project MOVING, Kent), who else would be capable of re-constructing TC?

*** Edited 11/20/2005 8:09:21 PM UTC by rollergator***

Not only that, but if I'm not mistaken it's the coaster structure only - the trains are going elsewhere in the chain as parts. So, whoever picks it up would have to replace the trains as well.

"Life's What You Make It, So Let's Make It Rock!"

Well, Homey, you are going to be there at that place on that date, correct? You can't hide from me forever. And that goes for Gonch and Brett too.

rollergator said:

But it IS theoretically possible that SFI's estimated value of TC is less than its cost to deconstruct - which would mean if someone was willing to pay the price of tear-down, the SFI would "give it away" (hopefully to a good home)...
***

Exactly. Six Flags is so cheap they don't even want to pay to knock the thing down if they can get someone else to do it for them.

Yeah, that is called smart business, duh. Why pay for something when you can get someone else to? They are trying to get out of debt so they can build more coasters, so how is this a bad thing?

Agreed. Where I'm from, construction companies and such allow the local Amish and Mennonites to come and take what they want, it's free demolition.

I've often wondered from time to time, how to write good poetry- and make it all... Work.

There was some mention (rumor?) that that's what became of the lumber from Herc...

Hopefully TC will end up as something more enjoyable than fencing and barns...although I hear haylofts can be fun... ;)

Hey!

Oh, wait, different kind of hay... :)

*groans at his own pun*

"Life's What You Make It, So Let's Make It Rock!"